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SIGAW SA HATINGGABI Suzara’s scariest

Regine Angeles (Salvacion) and Richard Quan (Albert) are lead stars of SIGAW SA HATINGGABI. Catch the HORROR PLUS Film Fest from October 29-Nov.14, 2014 at SM Cinemas. Photo by Jude Bautista

Photos by Jude Bautista

From FDCP release:

The supernatural takes a sinister turn in “Sigaw sa Hatinggabi,” director Romy V. Suzara’s entry in this year’s Sineng Pambansa Horror plus Film Festival presented by the Film Development Council of the Philippines and showing at SM Cinema branches nationwide from October 29 – November 14, 2014.

Direk Romy finds inspiration from our culture’s widespread belief that the spirits of the dead linger on and visit the living. He shares, “Of course, there would be those that don’t believe but there are many who do because there are times when a relative passes away, the spirits of the dead come back and make themselves felt.”

The Gala Premiere of “Sigaw sa Hatinggabi” takes place on October 23, 2014 at the SM North Edsa, Cinema 1, at 7:00pm. The premiere is to be attended by the director as well as his cast and crew, and invited guests. The screening will be open to the public for free on a first-come-first-serve basis due to limited seating capacity.

During the Horror plus Film Festival press conference last week, direk Romy explained that funding makes it difficult to go from mainstream film making to indie, and FDCP allows filmmakers to bridge that gap. “Maybe next year, FDCP will surely give even more seed money,” direk Romy joked to a chuckling audience, but earnestly added, “Hopefully, FDCP will continue to make festivals like this.”

Direk Romy is too one of the believers of spirits from his own personal experiences, as he shared in an interview with FDCP, “when FPJ [Fernando Poe, Jr.] died, I get to dream about him often. Then when Rudy Fernandez died, he returns to me in my dreams. So, there I believe that spirits are amongst us.” The legendary FPJ was supposed to star in Direk Romy’s “Tahimik Ngunit Mapanganib” before the actor’s untimely death in 2004, and Rudy “Daboy” Fernandez was a dear friend of the director’s, both having worked in the 1981 action drama “Pepeng Shotgun.” Direk Romy explained that he wants “Sigaw sa Hatinggabi” to recreate the feeling of sprits being present. “While watching the film I want the audience to experience that there are spirits around us.”

Robert Kuan’s selfie with zombies. Catch the HORROR PLUS Film Fest from October 29-Nov.14, 2014 at SM Cinemas. Photo by Jude Bautista

The film puts an ominous and threatening spin on that belief, as the story, inspired by a news item Direk Romy once read, revolves around the investigation of a battered woman’s mysterious death. The wife of a famous man, she was forced to keep her husband’s beatings secret, lest the media slander his reputation with reports about his violence against his wife. When her husband finds out about her untimely death, he seeks the help of a celebrity medium, who has a third eye and leads the group of paranormal investigators. They communicate with spirits in order to solve the mystery—was his wife murdered or did she commit suicide? In a “Big Brother”-esque style, a TV documentary crew records the investigation in the haunted house as the supernatural events unfold. The film stars Regine Angeles, Richard Quan, Lance Raymundo, Vangie Labalan, David Karell, Marga Yabes, Hero Bautista, Alvin Anson and China Roces.

Direk Romy described Regine Angeles, who is in her first lead role, the celebrity spirit medium, as a much underrated actress and was thrilled to have her as his leading lady. She said of Direk Romy, “He’s a legend, very skilled as a director. It’s an honor for me to be part of his film.”

Regine Angeles plays lead role Salvacion Delavis in SIGAW SA HATINGGABI. Catch the HORROR PLUS Film Fest from October 29-Nov.14, 2014 at SM Cinemas. Photo by Jude Bautista

“Sigaw sa Hatinggabi” is unique among his previous ventures in horror as it deals with a mysterious serial killer. Direk Romy noted, “You’d think you already determined the killer but you’re wrong.” Another new feature to the film is the use of CGI (computer generated imagery) to assist in the visualization of characters’ transformations through morphing.

The film is sure to be his scariest. Direk Romy warns, “If you are going to watch the film, if you have a weak heart, if you are alone, never ever watch this movie.” The film is sure to be filled with twists as Direk Romy declares, “I want the theater to be filled with screams, no, not just once, but at least ten times!”

The Horror plus Film Festival will officially kick off on October 29 and will run until November 4 in all SM Cinema branches nationwide at regular admission prices. Stay tuned by visiting the FDCP homepage (www.fdcp.ph) and the FDCP Facebook page for announcements and further screening details.

Marife Necesito of BACAO. Catch the HORROR PLUS Film Fest from October 29-Nov.14, 2014 at SM Cinemas. Photo by Jude Bautista

Jude Thaddeus Bautista

I'm a professional writer and photographer for over a decade. The subjects that I cover vary from entertainment to film, music, travel, lifestyle and even sports. Stories and pictures can come from anywhere, this is my way of sharing them with you.

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